Folding bed.



J. C. BEACH.

FOLDING BED.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-26, I916. 1 QQLGQQ Patented May 21,1918.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E 31 i I i I l I I I I l i I v l, I l l I I l I l I l INVENTOR 2W MATTORNEYS J. C. BEACH.

FOLDING BED.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-26. 1916..

1,267,045. I Patented May21,l918. I

2 SHEETS'SHEET 2.

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INVENTOR Wm WM WITNESSES:

AT'roRNlaYg JOHN C. BEACH, 013 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR '10LACI-IMAN WALL BED COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATIONOF CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING BED.

Application filed January 26, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. BEACH, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Beds,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding beds; and has for its object toimprove and simplify the construction and operation thereof.

In carrying out this object, I employ a base-plate fitted with a headpiece rigidly connected thereto, a frame carried interme diate itslength by pivoted suspension links depending from the corner posts ofthe head-frame, vertical track members on the corner posts, upon whichrollers, carried by a front end-piece on the main frame, operate,counterbalancing springs between the main frame and the base-plate, anddouble acting springs between the corner posts and main frame, thelatter operable at either extremity of movement of the main frame tocushion the same, and a frame carried upon supports extending verticallyfrom the head frame for suspending a curtain to con ceal the folded bed.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 shows a rear elevation of a device embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 2 shows a detail perspective of a portion of theCHItZLl11CLIIYlI1,Q' frame.

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of the front portion of the bed shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a similar View, with the parts in folded position.

Fig. 5 shows/a detail perspective of the swinging connecting link forone of the counterbalancing springs.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring now in detail to the device illustrated herewith, I have shownbase-plates 10 suitably secured to the floor and carrying upright posts11 rigidly supported by adjustable brace-bars 12, said posts forming, inconnection with a cross member 13, the head-frame of the bed. A mainframe 14 is pivoted at 15 to suspension links 16, the latter beingpivoted at 17 to the upright posts 11. The pivot 15 forms a floatingSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1918.

Serial N 0. 74,357.

pivot on which the main frame turns. The usual folding foot-piece andsupporting legs for the opposite end of the main frame are employed,although not shown in the drawings.

The front end of the main frame has upwardly projecting bracket members18' at its sides carrying between them a front endpiece 19. Journaledupon the upper corners of the brackets 18 are rollers 20 working againstvertical tracks or rails 21 fitted to the inside of each post 11 andserving to guide the main frame in its pivotal movement.

Double acting contractile coil springs 22 are provided for the purposeof counterbalancing the bed-frame in extended position and alsocushioning it in its folded position. These are arranged, one at eachside of the frame between the front endpiece 19 and the adjacent cornerpost 11, being connected to lugs 23 fixed upon the former at the topthereof and spaced inwardly from the end and to the latter by screw eyes24: fixed tothe post midway between the extremities of movement of thelugs 23. By having the springs 22 occupy an oblique position at eitherside of the center of movement of the front end-piece they will be undertension during a longer period at or near the extremities of movement.

A set of auxiliary counterbalancing springs 25, preferably two in eachset, is arranged between the main frame and baseplate at each side,being connected to the former by swinging lugs 26 pivoted to yokes 27carried on the lower front end of the main frame, as shown in detail inFig. 5, and to the latter by perforated plates 28 located on the rearside of the base-plates. In the extended position of the main frame thesprings 25 are under tension, as shown in Fig. 8, and in folded positionthey are retracted to lie flatly upon the floor as shown in Fig. 4, onaccount of the swinging movement of the lugs 26. Thus the said springs25 aid the springs 22 in the lifting movement of the main frame when thelatter is in extended position.

In the operation of the device so far described, it will be seen thatthe main frame, when in folded position, will rest upon the base-plates10 at its front end, at which under tension near the extremity of move-'time the springs 25 will be retracted and lie between the said end-pieceand base plates, while the springs 22 will be under tension, as shown inFig. 4. To extend the main frame for use, the operator moves the saidframe outwardly from the head-frame, at which time the rollers 20 willride upon the tracks 21, causing the main frame to be thrust bodilyoutward in its pivotal movement. The initial movement of the bed framefrom folded position will be assisted by the springs 22 and the saidsprings, at

their ends where they connect to the vertically movable portion of themain frame, will be carried past their fixed connections with the cornerposts and again be placed ment of the main frame in extended position.

Nhen extended the main frame is supported at its forward end by thesuspension links ltiand held in proper spaced relation with thehead-frame by reason of the rollers 20 engaging the guide rails 21 andthe springs 25, as well as the springs 22, will be under tension at thistime so that the weight of the main frame is nearly balanced.

Removably carried in sockets 29, fitted upon the head-frame, arevertical supporting rods 30 provided at their upper ends with a roddedframe 31, the latter approximately U-shaped in outline, from which issuspended, by means of rings 32, a curtain or other device 33 forconcealing the bed when the latter is in folded position. Thus thearticle is complete in itself, furnishing its own supporting base andclosure and for this reason may be positioned any place in a roomwithout special provision being made for its reception.

While I have shown and described but one form herein, it will beunderstood that position, guide members between the frames formaintaining the main frame in proper spaced relation with thehead-frame, and counterbalancing springs connected between the mainframe and the head-frame adapted to be placed under substantially thesame tension at each extremity of movement of the main frame.

2. In a folding-bed, the combination of a stationary head-frame, amovable main frame, suspension-links pivotally connected between saidframes for supporting the front end of the main frame in extendedposition, guide members between the frames for maintaining the mainframe in proper spaced relation with the head-frame, counterbalancingsprings connected between the main frame and the head-frame adapted tobe placed under substantially equal tension at each extremity ofmovement of the main frame, and auxiliary springs between said framesfor aiding the first-mentioned springs at the beginning of the foldingmovement of the main frame.

3. In a folding-bed, the combination of a stationary head-frame and amovable main frame, pivotal connections between said frames to permitfolding movement, and diagonally extending contractile coil springsconnecting the ends of the head-frame with the intermediate portions ofthe front end of the main frame and movable with the latter tosubstantially equal distances at opposite sides of their fixedconnection for cushioning the movements of the main frame at eitherextremity of its position.

4. In a folding-bed, the combination of a stationary head-frame, a mainframe pivotally connected thereto, vertically slidable connectionsbetween the front end of the main frame and the head-frame,counterbalancing springs connected to the head-frame and to thevertically movable portion of the main frame, whereby one end of eachspring is carried with the main frame to substantially equal distancesat opposite sides of the fixed connection with the head-frame to cushionthe movements of the main frame at the extremity of either position ofmovement.

5. In a folding-bed, the combination of a stationary head-frame, a mainframe pivotally and foldably connected therewith, contractile coilsprings connecting the said frames and movable with the main frame tosubstantially equal distances at opposite sides of their fixedconnections for cushioning the movements of the same at eitherextremity, and auxiliary springs connected between the said frames forcounterbalancing the main frame in extended position.

6. In a folding-bed, the combination of a base-plate, a head frame rigidtherewith, a

movable main frame, rollers on oppositev sides of the front end of saidmain frame, vertical guide rails on oppositejsides of the bed-frameagainst which said rollers operate, a floating pivot on which the mainframe is adapted to turn so that the frame may be moved to foldedposition on the head frame with its front end resting upon the bed-plateand to extended position with its front end supported upon said floatingpivot, a coil spring connecting the headframe and main frame forcushioning the movements of the main frame at either extremity of itsposition.

7 In a folding-bed, the combination of a baseplate, a head frame rigidtherewith, a movable main frame, rollers on opposite sides of the frontend of said main frame, vertical guide rails on opposite sides of thebed-frame against which said rollers operate, a floating pivot on whichthe main frame is adapted to turn so that the frame may be moved tofolded position on the head frame with its front end resting upon thebed-plate and to extended position with its front end supported uponsaid floating pivot, a coil spring connecting the headframe and mainframe, and movable with the latter to substantially equal distances atopposite sides of its fixed connection for cushioning the movement ofthe'main frame at either extremity of its position.

8. In a folding-bed, the combination of a base-plate, a head frame rigidtherewith, a movable main frame, rollers on opposite sides of the frontend of said main frame, vertical guide rails on opposite sides of thebed-frame against which said rollers operate, a floating pivot on whichthe main frame is adapted to turn so that the frame may be moved tofolded position on the head frame with its front end resting upon thebed-plate and to extended position with its front end supported uponsaid floating pivot, a coil spring connecting the headframe and mainframe for cushioning the movements of the main frame at either extremityof its position, and an auxiliary spring connected to said frames forassisting said other spring in counter-balancing the main frame inextended position.

9. In a folding-bed, the combination of a base-plate, a head frame rigidtherewith, a movable main frame, rollers on opposite sides of the frontend of said main frame, vertical guide rails on opposite sides of thebed-frame against which said rollers operate, a floating pivot on whichthe main frame is adapted to turn so that the frame may be moved tofolded position on the .head frame with its front end resting upon thebed-plate and to extended position with its front end supported uponsaid floating pivot, a coil spring connecting the head frame and mainframe and movable with the latter to substantially equal distances atopposite sides of its fixed connection for cushioning the movement ofthe main frame at either extremity of its position, and an auxiliarysprin connected to said frames for assisting sald other spring incounterbalancing the main frame in extended position.

10. In a folding bed, the combination of a stationary head-frame, amovable main frame, vertical tracks on the head-frame, rollers carriedby the main frame and operating against said tracks, swinging suspensionlinks pivotally connected between the head-frame and the front end ofthe main frame, whereby to provide fulcrum supports for the lattermovable downwardly when the bed is folded and upwardly when the bed isunfolded, and counterbalancing springs operable to appreciably assistboth the folding and unfolding movements of the main frame.

11. In a folding bed, the combination of a stationary head frame, amovable main frame, vertical tracks on the head frame, rigid suspensionlinks pivoted at one end to the front end of the main frame and at theopposite end to the head frame above and in alinement with the tracks,counterbalancing springs operable to assist to an appreciable degreeboth the folding and unfolding movements of the main frame, and

rollers operable on the vertical tracks and journaled on the front endof the main frame in advance of the pivotal connection between thesuspension links and the head frame.

12. In a folding bed, the combination of a stationary head frame, amovable main frame, vertical track and roller connections between saidframes, swinging suspension links between said frames upon which themain frame is supported and forming fulcrum supports therefor movabledownwardly when the bed is folded and upwardly when the bed is unfolded,means for counterbalancing the main frame in extended position, andmeans for assisting in the unfolding movement of the main frame.

18. In a folding bed, a head frame provided with a vertical track, amain frame, a roller secured to the latter for operating on the track,suspension links pivotally connecting the main frame to the head frame,spring means connected at one end to the main frame adjacent the rollerand at its opposite end to the head frame intermediate the end of thepath of travel of the roller, and other spring means secured at one endto the main frame at a point, when the latter is horizontally disposed,below the point of securement of the first spring means to the mainframe and at its opposite end to the lower portion of head frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JOHN G. BEACH.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. HERRING, W. W. I-IEALEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

